King of Nothing—Chapter 2

“I could use a mug of Bran’s ale right now,” Owyn said to no one in particular. Behind him, the guard grunted in agreement.

“That the man that runs The Red Lion, my lord?” he asked.

“Yes, that’s him,” Owyn replied. They turned a corner and he continued. “So, you’re familiar with the place?”

“Best ale in the city, my lord,” the guard said without breaking stride. Put down more than a few pints there myself. I was there the night you celebrated winning the King’s Games, my lord. In the back, enjoying a mug.”

“Is that so?” Owyn asked, turning briefly to look at the guard. He shrugged. “I find it interesting sometimes how the threads of our lives weave into such a tangled web.”

“Me too, my lord,” the guard replied.

Owyn turned back to the empty hallway. Any other time, he would have struck up a conversation with the man. At the moment, his mind was simply too busy to focus. His thoughts felt like they were in an endless maze, searching for answers but finding little. Deep in thought, Owyn continued the rest of their walk in silence as they made their way towards his rooms.

“Prepare a room next to mine,” he told the guard softly, careful not to wake his wife.

Being in her presence might help her fight this curse—according to Odarin, at least—but he couldn’t risk Sunneva’s safety. If Freya got loose again, she would paint the walls with blood.

“Ensure at least two men are in there at all times, watching her. I’ll stop by to see her soon. Try your best not to wake her.” Owyn reached down and brushed a strand of red hair from his wife’s face. “I love you, my darling,” he whispered.

As King Ivar would say, this situation stank worse than a latrine pit. Owyn sighed and pushed the door open to his bedchambers. He needed a moment of peace, and he could think of no more peaceful place than in the arms of Sunneva.

She was seated upon the bed, knitting when Owyn walked in. Upon seeing him, she carefully set her needles down and sprang to her feet. She ran across the room and crashed into him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Owyn held her tightly, both of them silent for several moments. Words simply couldn’t describe the range of emotions Owyn felt. Finally, Sunneva broke away and pulled him towards the bed.

“Was Odarin able to do anything?” she asked as she sat on the soft comforter. A chance ray of sunlight streamed through the window and highlighted her red hair.

Owyn pursed his lips. “For the barest second, she broke through whatever is controlling her. She said my name and sounded almost like her normal self. It lasted only a few seconds, then it was gone and she went back to cursing my very existence.”

Sunneva was silent for a moment, staring at nothing. She reached up and wiped her eyes, then forced a smile. “I’m sure you’ll be able to figure out a solution to this. You’ve proven most capable so far.”

Owyn sat on the bed next to her and noticed what she had been knitting. “Another hat for the baby?” he asked.

She blushed as she looked down at her handiwork. “After all the time we’ve spent here,” she said, patting the bed,” I should be with child soon, if I’m not already. My blood should come in a few days, so if it doesn’t, I’ll know. I suppose we’ll have reason to celebrate. I do so hope it’s a boy.” Her smile was bright and lit up her face. “I want a boy first, and then a girl.”

“Planning a second already?” Owyn asked.

“Knowing that my children will be royalty? I plan on having at least three,” she said matter-of-factly. “Oh, I meant to tell you something earlier, but Freya’s affliction has occupied my mind lately so I forgot. Katla stopped by earlier to see the three of us. I had to invent a story about Freya being busy and you training with the king. I didn’t want her to know about what was going on.”

Owyn frowned. “I understand. She’s not family yet, so it’s best to protect those we’re closest to. I know you probably didn’t like hiding things from her, but you did the right thing.”

“She likes you,” Sunneva said. “She told me so. She likes your muscular arms, and how tall you are. Of course, you being the prince helps.” With a sigh, Sunneva traced her fingertips down Owyn’s sleeve. “I do long for the day we can all be open about our relationship, and we don’t have to keep things in the dark. I detest hiding my love for you.”

“Soon,” Owyn said. “Before she fell under this spell, Freya told me she was planning on telling her father soon.”

“How do you think he’ll take it?” Sunneva asked.

“Well, as Freya said, the three of us are already married in the eyes of the gods. So for your father to deny us would be to deny the word of the old gods. He would have to find a way to deal with it.” Owyn’s sudden laugh died down. “I’m glad Freya is so optimistic. I was afraid the king would simply tell me to take you as a concubine instead of a wife.”

Sunneva made a noise in her throat. “Sounds like something a man would say. A woman is worthy of your cock, but not worthy of being a wife. It’s these damned old traditions, I tell you. I’d think most men would leap at the opportunity to be married to multiple women.”

“I know, I know,” Owyn said, holding up his hands to cut her off. “It’ll take time, but one day we’ll have our family, with nothing to hide. Just the three of us.” He laughed suddenly. “Or if things continue going well with Katla, perhaps the four of us.” He tried not to think about how sick Freya was. She was going to be okay. No matter what it took, she was going to be okay.

“I know that look,” Sunneva said. “What’s going on?”

Owyn was silent for a moment. “War is coming,” he finally said. “I can’t see any way around it.”

“That bad?” Sunneva asked.

Owyn nodded. “The court wizard of Midsandur was behind all the killings at the border. He had the bandits kill all our merchants just to get me down there so he could get a chance to kill me.” Owyn looked at the skin on his arm, still healing from where he had been burned. “He almost did. And now, I suspect he is behind what has happened to Freya. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

Sunneva gave him a firm look. “Well, if we’re going to war, I want to go with you. I’m rapidly gaining strength with magic. I can help.”

Owyn reached out and placed a hand on her stomach. “I can’t risk you, my love. If you’re carrying our child, you’re more precious than the entire army is to me.”

“But if I’m as powerful with magic as Odarin says I am, I would be able to single-handedly turn the tide.”

Owyn frowned. She was absolutely right. A powerful spellcaster would be worth a hundred archers if war broke out. He would be a fool not to have her fighting at his side. “We’ll have to decide what to do when the time comes,” he said.

“Didn’t you once say you wanted to marry strong women, the kind that would fight by your side?” Sunneva asked with a raised eyebrow.

Owyn laughed. “I did, I did. Good memory, Sunneva. You are right. It would be wrong of me to ride off to war and not allow you to defend your homeland. We will figure out a way to have you safely accompany me when we march.” He leaned forwards and kissed her on the forehead, then stood up.

“Leaving so soon?” she asked, pouting slightly.

“Yes,” Owyn said. “I will be very busy over the next few days, with all that is happening. With war on the horizon, I will have my hands full.”

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